Recognizing Signs Of A Stroke

Every year, almost 800,000 people in the U.S. experience a stroke. A stroke occurs when the blood flow to an area of the brain is cut off, depriving brain cells of oxygen. If a stroke is not caught early, permanent brain damage and death can result. The first step to preventing a stroke is being able to recognize its warning signs.

The most common symptoms of a stroke are:

• Loss of vision in one or both eyes
• Loss of speech
• Sudden confusion
• Trouble speaking or understanding what another person is saying
• Severe headaches with no known cause
• Loss of balance or unstable movements
• Weakness or numbness of the face, arm or leg on one side of the body

If you observe any of these symptoms or believe that an individual may be having a stroke, call 9-1-1 immediately.